If you’d asked me a few years ago whether I’d ever join a book club, I would probably have laughed.
Anyone who knows me well knows that reading has never really been my thing.
In fact, some of my closest friends from school have their own book club, and this year they’re celebrating an incredible 20 years together. I’ve never been an official member because, quite honestly, I wouldn’t be very good at it. I’m a slow reader, I don’t naturally gravitate towards books, and when I do read, I tend to choose subjects that genuinely interest me rather than working through a prescribed reading list.
To their credit, they’ve always included me in the social side of things. I’ve attended the annual Christmas meal out, summer get-together, and even supported them in some of the secret book-swapping activities. But being a regular book club member? That was never likely to happen.
Or so I thought.
Towards the end of last year, Helen Christopher from Bean Sprout suggested something different: a CEO Book Club.
The concept was simple. Each month we’d read a business-related book, then get together to discuss what we’d learned, what resonated with us, what didn’t, and how we might apply the ideas to our own businesses.
What appealed to me wasn’t necessarily the reading.
It was the conversation.
As a business owner, it’s easy to spend most of your time working in your business rather than stepping back to think about it. The CEO Book Club creates space to do exactly that. The books become a starting point for discussions about leadership, productivity, mindset, growth, challenges and opportunities.
And, perhaps surprisingly, I’ve really enjoyed it.
| Book | My Thoughts |
|---|---|
| Start With Why | I found this one quite difficult to read and, if I’m honest, rather repetitive. However, I completely agree with the principle behind it. One of the best parts wasn’t actually the book itself but the discussion it sparked within the CEO Book Club about purpose, values and why we do what we do. |
| The E-Myth Revisited | This book taught me a lot about systems and processes, which is perhaps unsurprising given the work I do. I didn’t finish the entire book, and I may have relied on a little AI assistance to contribute fully to the discussion, but it’s one I’d like to revisit and complete over the summer. |
| Building a StoryBrand | I enjoyed the core message around clear communication and putting the customer at the centre of your story. My biggest challenge was that it felt quite repetitive, and many of the examples were from huge global brands that I found harder to relate to as a small business owner. |
| Deep Work | I didn’t get very far through this one, but I learned something valuable about myself. The opening chapters helped me realise that I naturally do deep work. I’m fortunate that I can switch off from distractions and become completely absorbed in a task, which is probably one of the reasons I can be highly productive when working on client projects. |
| Think Again | This is probably the book I remember least clearly, although some concepts have stayed with me. In particular, the ideas around the “preacher”, “prosecutor” and “politician” mindsets gave me plenty to think about. It wasn’t my favourite of the books we’ve read, but there were definitely some useful lessons in it. |
| Company of One | This was one of the books that resonated with me most strongly. As someone who literally runs a company of one, I found myself nodding along throughout. I particularly liked the message that growth isn’t always the goal and that building a business that’s the right size for you can be just as successful as constant expansion. |
| Profit First | I understood the concept and could see the value immediately, but this book definitely pushed me outside my comfort zone. Numbers aren’t naturally my thing, and when I started trying to work through some of the calculations myself, I found it challenging. That said, growth often happens just outside your comfort zone, and I took a lot from the principles behind it. |
| Atomic Habits | Currently reading and thoroughly enjoying it. Unlike many of the other books, this one isn’t solely focused on business. It’s about behaviour, habits and small incremental improvements, which appeals to both my interest in sociology and my curiosity about psychology. So far, it’s probably one of my favourites. |
Our latest book is Atomic Habits by James Clear.
In fact, we were due to discuss it this week, but the meeting has been postponed until next week. Thankfully for me, that gives me a little more time to finish it!
So far, this has probably been one of my favourite books we’ve covered.
Although it’s often recommended in business circles, it isn’t really a business book. Instead, it’s about habits in all areas of life and how small, consistent changes can lead to significant results over time.
What I’ve particularly enjoyed is the psychology behind it. Having studied Sociology at A-Level and always been interested in psychology, I find the explanations around behaviour, routines and decision-making fascinating.
It’s made me think not only about personal habits but also about the habits we create in our businesses:
As someone who spends a lot of time helping clients simplify processes and create better systems, it’s interesting to see how many of the principles overlap.
The biggest surprise hasn’t been discovering a love of reading. I still wouldn’t describe myself as a bookworm, and I’m still usually one of the last people to finish the book. What I’ve discovered instead is the value of learning alongside other business owners. The books are useful, but the conversations, different perspectives and practical takeaways are what keep me coming back each month.
It’s about taking a step back from the day-to-day running of a business and thinking a little more strategically.
And perhaps most surprisingly of all, it’s encouraged someone who never considered themselves a “reader” to pick up books they might never otherwise have chosen.
But I’ve definitely found a book club that works for me. And who knows? Maybe there’s hope for me yet.